Bottle containing fluid for inhalation therapy apparatus

ABSTRACT

A disposable sealed container as it is formed is aseptically filled with water for inhalation therapy. A first duct fashioned integrally with the container has an integral breachable seal to provide an opening for passing oxygen under pressure through the water when the container comprises a humidifier reservoir for operating in a first mode and for removing water when the container comprises a nebulizer reservoir for operating in a second mode. A second duct fashioned integrally with the container has an integral breachable seal to provide an opening through which wetted oxygen is forced outwardly when the container operates in its first mode and through which atmospheric air is drawn when the container operates in its second mode. The container also possesses an integrally molded foot arrangement into which one end of the first duct terminates. The foot is constructed by laterally indenting the lower portion of the container. Thereby, a series of communicating channels is provided between the foot and the main part of the container. In order to provide a stand for the bottle with the foot a socket containing pedestal is provided.

United States Patent Cornett, III: et al.

[75] lnventors: Walter Goza Cornett, Ill; Edward Van Amerongen, both of Wilmette, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Respiratory Care, Inc., Arlington Heights, ll].

[22] Filed: Nov. 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 307,460

[52] US. Cl. 261/122, 128/194 [51] Int. Cl B05b 7/32 [58] Field of Search 128/186, 188, 194, 198, 128/272, 196; 261/122, 78, 126, 123; 215/6 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,744,771 7/1973 Deaton 261/78 A 3,682,168 8/1972 Deaton.... 128/194 3,652,015 3/1972 Beall 1 239/338 3,509,879 5/1970 Bathish et al. 128/272 X 2,753,990 7/1956 Chalfin et al. 215/6 X Primary Examiner Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant Examiner-W. R. Briggs Attorney, Agent, or FirmEric P. Schellin; Martin P.

Hoffman Apr. 30, 1974 ABSTRACT A disposable sealed container as it is formed is aseptically filled with water for inhalation therapy. A first duct fashioned integrally with the container has an integral breachable seal to provide an opening for passing oxygen under pressure through the water when the container comprises a humidifier reservoir for operating in a first mode and for removing water when the container comprises a nebulizer reservoir for operating in a second mode. A second duct fashioned integrally'with the container has an integral breachable seal to provide an opening through which wetted oxygen is'forced outwardly when the container operates in its first mode and through which atmospheric air is drawn when the container operates in its second mode. The container also possesses an integrally molded foot arrangement into which one end of the first duct terminates. The foot is constructed by laterally indenting the lower portion of the container. Thereby, a series of communicating channels is provided between the foot and the main part of the container. In order to provide a stand for the bottle with the foot a socket containing pedestal is provided.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEBAP so 2914 SHEET 10$ 2 PATENTEDAPR 30 m4 SHEET 2 OF 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present matter relates, generally, to inhalation therapy. Particularly, it relates to bottles and containers useful in connection with humidifiers and nebulizers of the type used in inhalation therapy.

Inhalation therapy is an art of treating with oxygen having a high moisture content. The moisture may be provided by humidification of oxygen or atomization of water. Apparatus known as humidifiers are adapted for effecting the former by discharging into the atmosphere oxygen which has been broken into bubbles and has been forced under pressure through a volume of water. Apparatus known as nebulizers are adapted for effecting the latter by discharging into the atmosphere water which has been broken into a mist of fine drops.

A conventional humidifier comprises a water container of glass fabrication with an upper closure. A metal oxygen supply tube extends through the closure. It carries a radial perforated plate as its lower end for breaking up oxygen, introduced under pressure through the tube, into bubbles. As the bubbles rise through the water, they become moisture coated for discharge into the atmosphere.

While there are several heretofore known types of nebulizers, a conventional nebulizer includes a Venturi tube which may be of rigid plastic fabrication. The nebulizer means is associated with the closure. It utilizes oxygen under pressure to atomize water in the container and force the atomized water through a tube opening into the atmosphere.

Disposable humidifiers and nebulizers, according to some conventional practice, are provided by manufacturers in completed condition with sterile water. Therefore, an institution, such as a hospital, is required to have an inventory of humidifiers and nebulizers, each with its water container, if it is to satisfy all requirements. Due to the high cost attendant using conventional inhalation therapy apparatus, many institutions use reusable humidifiers and nebulizers. This practice creates a burden on trained personnel, already in short supply. As a consequence, a prefilled container has been developed which may be selectively adapted as a reservoir for a humidifier and a nebulizer. Such a container is the subject of US. Pat. application Ser. No. 856,756 filed Sept. 10, 1969.

Unfortunately, the container disclosed in the patent application does not operate as well as should be desired when it is in the humidifier mode of operation. Due to a lack of means to break up the bubbles distributed to the bottom of the container by an integral duct, the humidification is not as efficient as it would be under circumstances when the bubbles are severely broken up. Accordingly, the present invention is an improvement over the container disclosed in the mentioned patent application as means is provided for breaking up the gas flow into minute bubbles thereby considerably increasing the efficiency.

Another feature and improvement over the container now of the prior art is in the provision of a unique nipple at the upper portion of the container which, in use, may be secured to a flexible conduit or the like. Prior ,to use the nipple has breakaway sealing means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a container which may be termed a bottle constructed of thermoplastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The bottle has a first duct terminating with a breachable seal at the top and is integral with respect to a side of the bottle. The first duct terminates at the other end at substantially the bottom portion of the bottle and communicates internally therewith. The bottom portion of the bottle includes a foot portion defined into a space by the bottom, the immediate adjacent sides and two indentations which provide a narrow constriction in horizontal plane to the bottle. The severity of the constriction is so pronounced that the indentations are permitted to meet along spaced points, thereby providing a plurality of separate openings for communication between the bottom portion of the bottle and the upper remainder of the bottle.

As a result of this construction, gas, such as oxygen, is distributed within the defined space through the integral duct. The gas will, of course, rise upwardly. In so doing, it will be broken up into bubbles as the gas passes through the plurality of openings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the ensuing description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bottle of the present invention exploded from its stand.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the bottle in the mold showing means for providing the two indentations.

FIG. 6-is a cross-sectional view looking towards the bottom with indentation forming means positioned at the beginning of a stroke.

FIG. 7 is' the same cross-sectional view as in FIG. 6 with indentation forming means at the close of a stroke.

FIG. 8 is a close up view partly in cross-section showing application of a tube to the nipple on the bottle of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Now, turning to the drawings, attention is directed to FIG. 1 where reference numeral 10 depicts the bottle of the present invention. The bottle is constructed of a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The bottle is blow-molded and is produced in a completely sealed condition. That is, the bottle prior to completion of all the steps necessary to form the bottle is filled with a predetermined quantity of a liquid, such as water.

It will be observed that the bottle 10 has a fairly complex shape. Much of the shape and other structural features have already been disclosed in a prior patent application as mentioned in the above. The present being a considerable improvement over the latter. With regard thereto, attention is directed to the sealed nipple 11 positioned horizontally between the top conduit portion 12 of the bottle and the chamber 13 of the bottle. The nipple 1 1 is formed integral with a substantially vertical breakaway member 14. The member has an elongated upper portion and a downwardly depending lower portion 16. The lower portion has facing rearwardly a convenient finger grip 17 consisting of a concavity and rearwardly extending portions 18 and 19. In use the inside portion of a finger is placed in the concavity and the thumb is positioned on the outer forwardly facing surface 15. By pivoting member 14 at the area of contact with the nipple, accomplished by moving the lower portion 16 forward, the member 14 may be easily broken off. The removal thereof provides communication to the inside of the bottle as exemplified in' FIG. 8. The nipple 11 freed of member 14 may now have applied to it a tubular conduit 20 which is adapted to fit snugly onto the nipple having on the surface thereof a series of axially disposed serrations 21.

Top conduit portion 12 communicates with a conduit which is formed integral along one side of the bottle. The conduit 25 terminates near the bottom portion of the bottle. The bottom portion has the appearance of a foot 26. The conduit 25 terminates into this foot. The foot has a bottom 27 which is, of course, also the bottom of the bottle. The foot is separated from the main part of the bottle, that is, chamber 13 due to indentations 28 and perforated wall 29. It will be appreciated that when the bottle is used as a humidifier and oxygen is passed into the foot 26 it will be broken up into discrete bubbles when it passes through the perforations of wall 29.

From FIGS. 3 and 4 it will be noted that the perforations 30 have, generally, a diamond-shaped configuration. Theconfigurations are due to the unique mode of fabrication as will be now discussed. As was noted in mentioned patent application the elongated vertical conduit is molded integral with the formation of the bottle. In the present matter the bottle is also molded in a similar fashion. Additionally, thereto, however is the utilization of special inserts in the mold dies having oppositely disposed protrusions having confronting non-mating notches as depicted in FIG. 6 by reference numeral 31. The molding surfaces are brought together as in essentially the same manner as when the integral conduit is formed. Now, however, the notches on the confronting leading edges of each side of the thermoplastic material is not brought together in a single sealing line. As the thermoplastic material will follow the irregular edges of the molding device, the diamondshaped openings will be formed as shown in FIG. 7. Generally, where the peaks of the molding devices touch, the two opposite sides of the thermoplastic material will touch and become affixed in that position after cooling the mold and thermoplastic material. Cooling is usually assisted by the introduction of the liquid with which the container is to be filled.

F IG. 5 shows another molding technique for producing the stated indentations and perforations. Being a cross-sectional view taken along a vertical line, the bottle is molded in accordance with the mentioned U.S. patent application. Openings 41 are provided at each side of the mold into which separate indentations producing means 42 are thrust having the notched leading edges, as in the other embodiment.

Returning to FIG. 1, it will-be discerned therefrom that a pedestal 51 is associated 'with the bottle of the present invention. While the bottle has the capacity to remain in an upright position without a special pedestal, the fact that it is fairly narrow, plus the devices that are attached to the ports, some unbalance may occur. The'attachable and removable pedestal is designed to provide additional support. The pedestal has a socket 52 which is an indentation in the upper surface of the pedestal. The upper surface has upstanding walls 53 at both sides of the socket 52. The indentation 53 is adapted to accept the foot portion of the bottle in a fairly secure friction fitted manner. The upstanding walls 53 are designed to part slightly as the foot is inserted and to then grasp more of the foot portion than would be possible with the indentation 52. The pedestal may be constructed by injection molding techniques. As a result, the pedestal will be quite thin having no solid base and will be hollow underneath.

What is claimed is:

l. A thermoplastic bottle comprising a chamber for containing a fluid, a lower portion, said lower portion being integrally formed with said chamber and being separated from each other by a relatively narrow band of thermoplastic material having a plurality of perforations whereby there is communication between the said chamber and the said lower portion, conduit means, said conduit means being integrally molded along a side of said chamber, one end of said conduit means terminating and communicating with the said lower portion, the other end of said conduit means terminating above said chamber with a breachable sealing means, said chamber having a' neck portion thereabove and below said upper terminating portion of said conduit means, a port meanspositioned between said chamber and said other end of said conduit means, said port means having an integral sealing means.

2. The thermoplastic bottle of claim 1 wherein the said narrow band of thermoplastic material having the said perforations is perpendicular to the axis of said integral conduit.

3. The thermoplastic bottle of claim 2 wherein the perforations have a diamond-shaped configuration.

4. The thermoplastic bottle of claim 1 wherein the integral sealing means on said port means is an elongated breakaway member perpendicular to the axis of the port means.

5. The thermoplastic bottle of claim 4 wherein the breakaway member is integral with said port means.

6. The thermoplastic bottle of claim 5 wherein the bottle has a base means, said base means has a relatively flat bottom, said base means has at the upper surface an elongated socket adapted to receive a portion of the said lower portion and to be retained together by a friction fit.

7. The thermoplastic bottle of claim 6 wherein the said narrow band of thermoplastic material having the said perforations is perpendicular to the axis of said integral conduit.

8. The thermoplastic bottle of claim 7 wherein the integral sealing means in said port means is an elongated breakaway member perpendicular to the axis of the port means. 

1. A thermoplastic bottle comprising a chamber for containing a fluid, a lower portion, said lower portion being integrally formed with said chamber and being separated from each other by a relatively narrow band of thermoplastic material having a plurality of perforations whereby there is communication between the said chamber and the said lower portion, conduit means, said conduit means being integrally molded along a side of said chamber, one end of said conduit means terminating and communicating with the said lower portion, the other end of said conduit means terminating above said chamber with a breachable sealing means, said chamber having a neck portion thereabove and below said upper terminating portion of said conduit means, a port means positioned between said chamber and said other end of said conduit means, said port means having an integral sealing means.
 2. The thermoplastic bottle of claim 1 wherein the said narrow band of thermoplastic material having the said perforations is perpendicular to the axis of said integral conduit.
 3. The thermoplastic bottle of claim 2 wherein the perforations have a diamond-shaped configuration.
 4. The thermoplastic bottle of claim 1 wherein the integral sealing means on said port means is an elongated breakaway member perpendicular to the axis of the port means.
 5. The thermoplastic bottle of claim 4 wherein the breakaway member is integral with said port means.
 6. The thermoplastic bottle of claim 5 wherein the bottle has a base means, said base means has a relatively flat bottom, said base means has at the upper surface an elongated socket adapted to receive a portion of the said lower portion and to be retained together by a friction fit.
 7. The thermoplastic bottle of claim 6 wherein the said narrow band of thermoplastic material having the said perforations is perpendicular to the axis of said integral conduit.
 8. The thermoplastic bottle of claim 7 wherein the integral sealing means in said port means is an elongated breakaway member perpendicular to the axis of the port means. 